AzTrials
AzTrials

Lichen SclerosusPhase 3NCT05010421

Laser vs Clobetasol for Lichen Sclerosus

A Phase 3 study testing Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top Cream and Non-ablative CO2 Laser in people with Lichen Sclerosus, run by Ruhr University of Bochum at 1 site in Germany.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a common autoimmune disease of the genital skin. It affects 1/900 women with an age peak in the sixth decade of life and is manifested by chronic inflammation of the genital, perineal, and perianal areas associated with itching, burning, pain, and soreness. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
Conditions the study is for
Lichen Sclerosus
What is being tested?
Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top Cream and Non-ablative CO2 Laser
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
246 participants
Where
1 siteGermany
Study dates
2 Nov 2021to 17 Oct 2025
Phase
Phase 3
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women, age ≥ 18 years
  • Established diagnosis of LS (vulva and/or perineum and/or perianal region)
  • Willingness to comply with study requirements
  • No significant language barrier

Who cannot join

  • Concurrent immunosuppressive treatment
  • A history of vulvar cancer and/or vulvar dysplasia
  • A history of vulvar surgery
  • A contraindication against clobetasol treatment
  • A known sun light allergy
  • A known skin condition interfering with local ablative treatment such as neurodermatitis or bullous pemphigoid

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Germany1 site
  • Marien Hospital Herne

    Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, 44625

Other trials in Germany

About this study

Official title: CO2 Non-ablative Laser Versus Topical Clobetasol for Lichen Sclerosus: a Prospective, Open-label, Randomized Trial

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a common autoimmune disease of the genital skin. It affects 1/900 women with an age peak in the sixth decade of life and is manifested by chronic inflammation of the genital, perineal, and perianal areas associated with itching, burning, pain, and soreness. In addition, LS is associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer.

Treatment options for LS include topical steroids such as clobetasol, immunomodulators such as tacrolimus, and non-ablative laser treatment. Although both treatments are well documented and used in clinical practice, direct comparative studies of the efficacy of topical corticosteroids versus laser treatment in women with LS are rare. For example, a PubMed literature search (search date 2021-03-14; search terms: lichen sclerosus, laser, corticosteroids, steroids, clobetasol, randomized) identified only a single randomized trial with limited power.

Read more

Given the available evidence, further high-quality studies are needed to define the superiority/inferiority of the different available treatment options such as nonablative lasers and topical corticosteroids.

Therefore, in this prospective, randomized, open-label, comparative study, treatment success after 3 courses of non-ablative treatment with CO2 laser every 14 days will be compared with treatment success after topical application of clobetasol 0.05% over 3 months (daily in the first month, every other day in month 2, and 3 times/week during month 3) at the time point 3 months after treatment initiation.

Read the detailed description

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a common autoimmune disorder of the genital skin. It affects 1/900 women with an age peak in the sixth decade of life. LS is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the genital, perineal, and perianal areas and causes itching, burning, pain, and soreness. Histologically, LS is characterized by epidermal atrophy, hyperkeratosis, follicular plugging, degeneration of the basal layer, and subepidermal hyalinization of collagen in the papillary dermis with a lymphocytic infiltrate. Affected women typically suffer significant long-term genital damage including scarring, fusion of the vulval labia, narrowing of the vaginal opening, dyspareunia, and burying of the clitoris. In addition, LS is associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer.

Treatment options of LS include topical steroids such as clobetasol, topical immunomodulators such as tacrolimus, and non-ablative laser treatment. In a systematic review of the literature with 7 studies and 249 participants, clobetasol achieved improvement rates and remission rates of 70% to 89% and 20% to 35%, respectively. In comparison, non-ablative laser treatment leads to significant improvements in vulvar itching, dryness, pain, and dyspareunia in 50% to 85% of women with remission rates of up to 80% after 14 years of follow-up. Although both treatments are well documented and used in clinical practice, direct comparative studies assessing the efficacy of topical corticosteroids versus laser treatment in women with LS are rare. For example, in a PubMed literature search (search date 2021-03-14; search terms: lichen sclerosus, laser, corticosteroids, steroids, clobetasol, randomized) only one randomized trial was identified. In this study, the authors included 40 women with LS and compared 3 applications of non-ablative laser 2 weeks apart with 4 weeks of twice daily (2 weeks), once daily (1 week), and every other day (1 week) of topical clobetasol 0.05% cream. After 3 months of treatment laser-treated women had a significantly higher sum score (including burning, itching, and pain) measured on an 11-step visual analogue scale (VAS). Both treatments demonstrated histological improvement with reductions of inflammatory hallmarks in skin biopsies.

Given this body of evidence, more high-quality studies are needed to define the superiority/inferiority of the different available treatment options such as non-ablative laser and topical corticosteroids. Therefore, a prospective, randomized trial comparing non-ablative CO2 laser treatment and topical clobetasol 0.05% will be conducted. The aim of this prospective, randomized, open-label, comparative trial is to establish or refute the superiority of 3 courses of non-ablative treatment by CO2 laser every 14 days compared to topical clobetasol 0.05% (daily in month 1, every other day in month 2, and 3 times/week in month 3) for 3 months. The primary endpoint of this study is a sum score including the pathognomonic symptoms of LS, namely vulvar burning, itching, and pain, each measured on an 11-step VAS. Secondary endpoints will include the physician-scored rate of visual improvement (measured on an 11-item VAS), side effects, and patient-reported outcomes such as subjective overall improvement, general satisfaction, and quality of life (measured by a validated questionnaire for vulval disorders; i.e. the VDQI (Vulval Disease Quality of Life Index).

Being tested
Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top Cream, Non-ablative CO2 Laser
Keywords
Lichen Sclerosus, Laser, Clobetasol, Corticosteroids
Medical subject headings
Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top CreamDrug

    Also called Dermoxin (Germany), Temovate, Clobex, Dermovate, Impoyz

    Topical corticosteroid treatment of affected vulvar skin areas.

  • Non-ablative CO2 LaserDevice

    Superficial non-ablative laser treatment of affected vulvar skin areas.

Study groups in NCT05010421
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Clobetasol GroupActive comparatorTreatment with clobetasol-0,05% over 3 months (month 1: daily, month 2: every other day, month 3: 3x per week)
Receives: Drug: Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top Cream
Laser GroupExperimental3 applications every 14 days of a non-ablative CO2 laser treatment
Receives: Device: Non-ablative CO2 Laser

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Vulvar burning, itching, and pain

    Summary score of three symptoms of LS, i.e. vulvar burning, itching, and pain (11-item VAS each).

    Higher values mean worse outcome.

    Measured: from date of randomization until 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Efficacy - Physician-scored rate of visual improvement (0-10)

    11-item VAS; higher values mean better outcome.

    Measured: 3 months after treatment start

  2. Safety - Number and severity of side effects

    Side effects (perioperative and postoperative complications up to 7 days) including but not limited to bleeding, infection, wound breakdown, unscheduled re-admission, and local pain necessitating systemic analgesia.

    Measured: 0-7 days after laser treatment (laser group); as well as throughout study duration (3 months; both groups)

  3. Subjective overall improvement (0-10)

    The patient's subjective judgement of improvement (11-item VAS); higher values mean better outcome.

    Measured: 3 months after treatment start

  4. Vulval Disease Quality of life Index (0-45)

    Quality of life assessed before the start of therapy, after every treatment course (laser group; days 0, 14, 28, 42) or after 2 and 6 weeks (clobetasol group; days 0, 14, 42), and after 3 months (both groups) using a standardized, validated questionnaire (VDQI, Vulval Disease Quality of life Index). Lower score mean better outcome.

    Measured: Throughout study completion (3 months; for a total of 4 or 5 assessments, depending on group assignment)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Aug 2021
  2. Study start2 Nov 2021
  3. Primary completion10 Jul 2025
  4. Study completion17 Oct 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Prospective randomized open single center study
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
246 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05010421
Sponsor's protocol ID
LASER-LICH1
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
16 Jul 2021
Last updated
4 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be shared upon reasonable request made to the corresponding author. This includes individual participant data underlying the results presented here, after deidentification, as well as data dictionaries and the the study protocol. Data is available after publication, without a specific end date. Requesting investigators must show that their proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee identified for this purpose.

Publications

  • Bizjak Ogrinc U, Sencar S, Luzar B, Lukanovic A. Efficacy of Non-ablative Laser Therapy for Lichen Sclerosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2019 Dec;41(12):1717-1725. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2019.01.023. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

    PubMed 30981618
  • Felmingham C, Chan L, Doyle LW, Veysey E. The Vulval Disease Quality of Life Index in women with vulval lichen sclerosus correlates with clinician and symptom scores. Australas J Dermatol. 2020 May;61(2):110-118. doi: 10.1111/ajd.13197. Epub 2019 Nov 14.

    PubMed 31729009
  • Murphy R. Lichen sclerosus. Dermatol Clin. 2010 Oct;28(4):707-15. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2010.07.006.

    PubMed 20883914
  • Renaud-Vilmer C, Cavelier-Balloy B, Porcher R, Dubertret L. Vulvar lichen sclerosus: effect of long-term topical application of a potent steroid on the course of the disease. Arch Dermatol. 2004 Jun;140(6):709-12. doi: 10.1001/archderm.140.6.709.

    PubMed 15210462
  • Chi CC, Kirtschig G, Baldo M, Lewis F, Wang SH, Wojnarowska F. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on topical interventions for genital lichen sclerosus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Aug;67(2):305-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2012.02.044. Epub 2012 Apr 6.

    PubMed 22483994
  • Pagano T, Conforti A, Buonfantino C, Schettini F, Vallone R, Gallo A, Avino L, Alviggi C, De Placido G, Sopracordevole F. Effect of rescue fractional microablative CO2 laser on symptoms and sexual dysfunction in women affected by vulvar lichen sclerosus resistant to long-term use of topic corticosteroid: a prospective longitudinal study. Menopause. 2020 Apr;27(4):418-422. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001482.

    PubMed 31934950
  • Hecken JM, Shoham I, Tempfer CB, Rezniczek GA. Carbon Dioxide Nonablative Laser Compared with Topical Clobetasol for Lichen Sclerosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2026 May 28. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006326. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 42208069

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 3 study testing Clobetasol 0.05% Emollient Top Cream and Non-ablative CO2 Laser in people with Lichen Sclerosus, run by Ruhr University of Bochum at 1 site in Germany.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Vulvar burning, itching, and pain (time frame: from date of randomization until 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05010421, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in